Convertible reclining chair



Jan. 21, 1958 w R. L. PROVENCHER 2,820,507

' CONVERTIBLE RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 5, 1955 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 F 2 9, 2' INVENTOR.

ATTOIPNEY5.

Jan. 21, 1958 R. L. PROVENCHER 2,820,507 CONVERTIBLE RECLINING CHAIR Filed Aug. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edi 4 7 15 mmvrokf A TTOEA/EXE United Sttes atent CONVERTIBLE RECLINING CHAIR Roland L. Provencher, Nor-wood, (lino Application August 5, 1955, Serial No. 526,687

9 Claims. (Cl. 155-43) This invention is directed. to a reclining chair for general utility, which by a simple manipulation of parts, may be converted into a combined chair-table unit. In its reclining adjustment, the chair presents a cushioned seat. and back, contour similar to the well-known easy chair. Uponbeing converted, a normally retracted service. table: is extended in an erected position forwardly ofthe, chair seat,

One of the primary objects of the invention has been to provide a, convertible reclining chair having a swinging table section. which forms an easy chair back rest in one position and a service table upon being pivoted forwardly through an. arc to a second position. in the service table position, the table section resides at the for- Ward edge of the, seat cushion, spaced above it in a horizontal plane.

Another object has been to provide a link and lever structure which takes advantage of the forward arc of table motion to shift a second back rest forwardly along the seat cushion, thereby to. create a posture-type seat contour of reduced depth. In the service table adjustment, the second back rest supports the occupant in a more erect, forward; position, consistent with the use of the table in its erected service position. In other words, in its lounging adjustment, the chair contours are suitable for. a reclining posture but are not suitablefor using the table; however, the linkage alters the seat contour, in an automatic manner, as the table swings to its erected service position.

A further object has been to provide a simplified lever arrangement which sustains the table securely as a part of the chair to prevent the table from being tipped over in its erected service position; also to provide a selflockingaction which imparts rigidity and strength to the structure in its reclining adjustment.

In its preferred form, the invention embraces a seat structure having arm rest frames pivotally connected to its Opposite sides, with their swinging ends connected to the table section. In the easy chair adjustment, the arm rest'frames support the table section in an upright position to form a cushioned back rest. table-chair combination, the user simply pulls the table section upwardly and forwardly, the arm rest frames acting as levers swinging about their common pivotal.

axis until their forward portions contact the floor and sustain the table section horizontally above the forward.

edge of the seat. In thepreferred arrangement therefore, the table section functions both as the table top and as the main back rest.

To provide the erect posture contour, the second back rest includes connecting links at opposite sides pivotally connected to the arm rest frames and arranged to shift the second back rest forwardly along a straight line as the table section is swung to its chair-table position.

To convert the unit back. to its lounging chair form, the: table is swungupwardly, and, rearwardly to its upright position at the rear. of theseat structure; at the same To convert to the r time, the linkage shifts the second back rest rearwardly to reside in face-to-face contact with the table section. In this position the table section and second back rest mutually reinforce one another; concurrently, the interconnecting linkage creates the self-locking engagement to support the parts rigidly in lounging position.

In the preferred structure outlined above, the second or erect posture back rest resides behind the table section when in the lounging position, and the forward surface of the table section presents the lounging cushion. The cushioned back rest resides beneath the table surface when shifted to the service position as part of the chairtable unit.

In a modified form of the invention, the same principles are utilized but the positions of the table sectionand back rest are reversed. In. this form, the table section resides behind a cushioned back rest when in the lounging adjustment. Upon shifting the table to erected service position, the back rest shifts forwardly to the erect posture position. In other words, the same back rest creates the reclining contour and erect posture contour andis shifted in response to the selected table positions. The. convertible unit has a wide range of utility and forms an attractive article of household furniture in either adjustment. It is particularly useful as a television chair since, on one hand, it allows the occupant to relax or lounge in it while viewing the screen and, on the other hand, it is readily converted to table use when refreshments are served. Since the table section forms an integral part of the chair, the user provides his own service table (by adjustment) without the transporting and storage problems associated with portable card tables and similar equipment in common use. Moreover, the structure creates a superior service table since it is attached to the chair and cannot be tipped over. For the same reasons, the structure in either adjustment is beneficial to convalescents and elderly or crippled persons.

Although the invention is disclosed in relation to. an individual easy chair, the same principles are readily applied to other types of furniture, such as settees or couches. In this event, the seat structure, table section, and back rest are made to the required length, utilizing the same linkage at opposite ends to provide the converting motion. It is also contemplated to apply the p principles of the invention to a unit for small children,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of" the convertible chair inv lounging adjustment with the table section folded in a retracted or back rest, position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the table extended to its erected service. position at the front edge of the chair seat.

Figure 3 is a side view showing the relative movements of the table section and second back rest as the table is shifted forwardly.

Figure 4 is a top plan view on reduced scale, showing the table in its extended service position as a chair-table unit.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure l, detailing the structure of'the chair.

Figure, 6 is an enlarged. fragmentary sectional view takenon line 6-6 of. Figure; 2, detailing the pivot connection between the arm rest frame. and back rest links.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view takenon line 7-7" of; Figure 3, detailing the. pivot connection of the armrest frames to the seat structure.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure l, detailing the self-locking joint of the link and lever arrangement.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Figure 3, showing a modified version of the convertible chair.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taken from Figure 9, detailing the pivot joint of the back rest links.

Structure and operation generally Described generally with reference to Figure 1 and 2, the preferred version of the convertible unit consists of a seat structure 1 having a two-position table section 2 and arm rest frames 3 pivoted as at 4 along opposite sides of the seat. In its lounging position of Figure 1, the seat, table section and arm rest frames create a deep, comfortable chair, similar in contour and appearance to the conventional reclining or lounging chairs. The table section 2 includes the upholstered back rest cushion 5 and serves interchangeably as a back support (Figure 1) or as a service table (Figure 2) as indicated generally at 6. A secondary or erect posture back rest 7 resides immediately behind the table section in an inactive position when the chair is in the reclining adjustment.

When converted to the table-chair unit shown in Figure 2, the arm rest frames (and table section) are swung through an arc and rest upon the floor to support the table in erected service position, with its cushion 5 inverted beneath the table. Accordingly, the arm rest frames 3 serve interchangeably as arm rests and as table support legs while the table section selectively forms a back rest or table surface.

The arm rest frames also act as crank levers which are pivotally connected as at 8 to the links 10 which sustain and shift the erect posture back rest 7. As the arm rests are swung about their pivot points 4, the links 10 shift the erect posture back rest forwardly along the seat cushion toward the front to a second position, creating an erect seat contour adjacent the edge of the erected table.

Each ann rest frame includes an arm support pad 11, cushioned or hard surfaced as desired. In lounging position, the pads reside along opposite sides of the seat structure in a plane above the seat cushion 12. These pads occupy a perpendicular position when the table section is shifted to the erected position shown in Figure 2.

When the lounging chair is converted to the chairtable unit, the table section is lifted by the user from the position of Figure l and is swung upwardly and outwardly about the pivot connection 4 (Figure 3) through an arc of approximately 90. This brings the arm rest frames 3 to a position resting upon the floor surface and supporting the table in a horizontal plane spaced above the seat cushion and partially overlying its forward edge (Figure 2).

During the swinging motion, the second back rest 7 concurrently is shifted forwardly from its position of Figure l to its second position of Figure 2, to create the erect posture chair profile. In its forward position, the second back rest 7 resides in a fixed upright position to support the occupant in an erect position which is most conducive to the use of the table surface.

To provide for the lineal motion of the second back rest 7, its lower edge is slidably supported upon the surface of the seat cushion 12 and has a curvature corresponding to the transverse profile of the seat cushion, as indicated at 13 in Figure 5. Accordingly, in its second erect posture position, the rearward pressure of the occupant reacts as a turning force about pivots 8 tending to swing the back rest downwardly upon the surface of the seat cushion.

When the unit is converted back to a lounging chair, the user simply swings the table portion in the reverse direction, upwardly and rearwardly from its erect service position. This movement, by reason of the pivot connection 8 to the back rest links 10, shifts the erect posture back rest 7 rearwardly at a rate which is correlated to the swing of the table top, such that back rest 7 reaches its rearward position at the same time the table section swings into facial engagement with it. In the lounging position, in which the table section 2 acts as a primary back rest, the secondary back rest 7 behind it, provides reinforcement. Forces which are imposed against cushion 5 react upwardly against the pivots 4 and result in a downward force against the seat cushion 12 upon which the lower edge of the table section rests. The lower edge of the table section has a curvature 14 (Figure 5) corresponding to the transverse profile of the seat cushion, as noted earlier, with respect to curvature 13 of the second back rest. This curvature forms the rearward edge of the table surface, in its erected service position, conforms in part to the contour of the occupant for greater comfort and convenience (Figure 4).

Structural details Described in detail, each arm rest frame 3 is formed of tubular stock (Figure 7) which is bent to a generally rectilinear shape, as viewed from the side. Each frame configuration, in the position of Figure 1, thus comprises a pivoted base section 15 having an end section 16 rising upwardly at its forward end and joining an arm rail section 17 residing above the surface of the seat cushion. The rearward end of arm rail section 17 is bent downwardly to form a bracket section 18 secured by screws 20 to the side edge of the table section 2.

The table section 2 consists of a panel 21, preferably formed of wood in which the screws are anchored, the cushioned back rest 5 being attached to the panel in the usual way.

The rearward end of the pivoted base section 15 is bent upwardly to form a swinging lever or crank 22 which forms the pivotal connection 8 with the back rest link 10. Each back rest link is also formed of tubular stock (Figure 6) and is generally L-shaped as viewed from the side. The perpendicular bracket portion 23 of link 10 is secured by screws 24 to the side edge of secondary back rest 7. The back rest is also in the form of a panel 25 (Figure 5) preferably formed of wood, and covered as at 26 by a suitable cushion consistent with the construction of the chair proper.

Referring to Figure 5, the seat structure 1 consists of a box-like frame 27, suitably enclosed is a covering material, not shown. The seat cushion 12 rests upon the top surface of the seat frame in the usual manner. The seat frame includes legs 28 which support it above the floor surface.

In its preferred form, the surface of the wood table panel 21, on the side opposite its cushion 5, includes a finished table top 29 such as a tough plastic panel which resists hard usage. In the lounging position, this surface faces the cushion 26 of the secondary back rest and slightly compresses the cushion.

As best shown in Figure 6, the swinging crank portion 22 of each arm rest frame includes a pair of spaced lugs 30-30 which are welded to its end portion. A single companion lug 31 secured to the end of link 10 is fitted between the spaced lugs and a pivot bolt 32 passes through matching apertures of the lugs to provide the pivot connection 8. The pivot bolt is secured in place by a nut 33.

In the lounging position (Figure 1), the outer end of each crank 22 bears against the end portion 34 of link It) which extends forwardly beyond the pivot bolt 32. This provides a self-locking interconnection between the arm rest frames 3 and back rest links 10 which imparts rigidly to the back rest assembly. The outer end of crank 22 has a concave shape 35 (Figure 8) which nests with" the end portion of the crank section 22 in self-locking position.

The main pivot bearings 4 of the arm rest frames each consist ofa pivot bolt 36. (Figure; 7). passingthnough a metal sleeve. 37 which is fitted in a bore formed; in'the sea-t frame. 27. The end portion of pivot bolt 36; includes ashouldcr 38 against which a nut 40. is. threaded. Anti friction washers 4l41 reside. on opposite sidesof the wood seat frame 27 to. space the arm rest frames. outwardly and create working clearance. To provide. a neat and trim appearance, the open ends of the arm rest framesand links include plugs 39 ofconventional design.

It will be observed in Figures. 1 and 2, that each main pivot bearing- 4 of the pivoted base rail'is located in relation to the floor surfaceto swing the-endsection l6fr0m its. upright position intov horizontal engagement with the floor surface upon rotation through a quarter-turn to the chair-table. position. In this positionthe end rail 16 forms a table base having. a substantial length. The floorengaging surface. of each rail 16 includesa pair of spaced buttons or abutments 51, preferably ofru-bber or other soft. material, which seat upon the floor surface.

In. the converted position, each arm rail17 assumes an upright position. forming a table support legrising from the-outer end of rail 16. By virtue of: the main pivot point andilength. of the end rail 16. resting upon the floor surface, the. table is firm and .stable in erected'position.

'lihe main pivot bearing 4 is related to the pivot joint tl-to create an arc of throw sufiicient-to impartthe lineal motionrtothe secondary back rest7; The two pivot points.

thusarerelated to one another to shift the backrest during table. erection and to create the locking action upon-conversion, to the reclining chair.

Fromtheforegoing, it will be observed that the articulated lever and link connection (frame 3 and link 10) between. thetable section and erect posture back rest, is eX- ceptionally simple in construction and provides easy operation. This permits the table portion to be shifted, with one hand if necessary, selectively to its back support position or erected service position. By virtue of the interlocking action of the linkage (Figure 8), the component parts form a rigid, integral unit when in lounging position. Moreover, when converted to the table-chairunit, the arm rest frames connect the table to the chair as an integral part. This prevents tipping and eliminates the shakiness usually associated with card tables and similar portableequipment commonly used in the household.

Modified structure In. the modified structureof Figure 9, the table portion 42 normally resides to the rear of the back rest 43. This aprangement makes possible the use of a plaintable top 44, the back rest 43 being used both in the lounging position. or; in the erect posture position. The pivoted arm rest frame and link assembly of the modified structure has the same operating principles described above for shifting the back rest forwardly as the table is erected. However, in order to provide clearance for the table top during erection, the back rest43 is arranged-to swing forwardly, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9.

For this purpose, the link 45', which is otherwise similar-to link 1%, includes an articulated connection 46 which allows the back rest :3 to swing forwardly. This connection comprises a lug 47 on the swinging bracket section 48, with a pivot pin 50 passing through the lug and end portion of link 45. This arrangement, as shown in Fi ure. 10, limits the rearward motion of the back rest by a self-locking engagement. In the upright position of the back rest, as indicated in broken lines, its lower edge slidably rests, upon the surface. of the seatcushion.

When the table section is swung forward to its erected servingiposition, it shifts back to upright position after the table passes over it. During the swinging tablemotion,

thelinks 45 shift the back rest forwardly toform theerect posture contour. As the table is. shifted back to retracted lounging position, the back rest shiftsrearwardly, and is aga n'tilted forwardly to allowv the table toreach its final and a cushion on the forward side thereof, said cushion providing a reclining. chair contour in the reclining chair adjustment, respective swinging members secured to the. table section and pivotally connected to the seat structure at opposite sides thereof normally sustaining the tablestructure in said vertical plane and swinging the same forwardly to a generally horizontal plane residing above the forward portion of the seat structure, thereby presenting the. said table surface upwardly and converting the reclining chair to a chair-tableunit, and link members secured:

to the said back rest at opposite sides thereof, said link members pivotally connected to said swinging members and shifting said back rest forwardly along the. seat str-ue-. ture in response to the swinging motion of said swinging members to said converting position, said link members supporting the back rest in a generally vertical plane anddelineating an erect posture chair contour adjacent thetable.

2. A convertible reclining. chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat, a two-position table section, a

swinging member secured to the-table section, a pivot ele.-.

ment connecting the swinging member to the chair seat, said table section residing in upright back rest position in the reclining chair adjustment and providing in com-.. bination with the chair seat a reclining chair'ccntour, said swinging member swinging said table section aboutsaid pivot element forwardly over the chair seat toaservice table position, residing above the forward portion of the chair seat, thereby converting the reclining chair to a. chair-table, and a secondback rest arranged on the chair seat, means connected to the second back est supporting.

the same in an upright position at. the rearward portion of the chair seat when the table section resides in the up.-

right back rest position, said means shifting the second back rest forwardly along the chair seat when the reclining chair is converted to a chair-table, said second back rest thereby creating an erect posture contour adjacent the table section in the erected service position of the table section.

3. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat, a two-position table section, a swinging member secured to the table section, a pivot element connecting the swinging member to the chair seat, said table section residing in upright back rest position in the reclining chair adjustment and providing in combination with the chair seat a reclining chair contour, said swinging member swinging said table section about said pivot element forwardly over the chair seat to a service table position, thereby converting the reclining chair to a chair-table unit, a shiftable erect posture back rest arranged on the chair seat, and means connecting the erect posture back rest to said swinging member, said means shifting the erect posture back rest forwardly along the chair seat to a position creating an erect posture contour adjacent the table section in said erected service position of the table section.

4. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat supported on a floor surface, a shiftable two-position table section, a frame member secured to the table section and shiftably connected to the chair seat, said frame member supporting the table section in an upright back rest seat in the reclining adjustment thereof, the frame member shifting the table section to a service table position residing horizontally above the forward portion of the chair seat upon conversion of the reclining chair to the chairthe table and linkage serve. to.

position relative to the chair table unit, said frame member having an end rail which, in said service table position, resides horizontally in contact with the floor surface adjacent the forward edge of the chair, said horizontal end rail thereby stabilizing the table section in said erect service position, a second shiftable back rest arranged on the chair seat and residing in an upright position; and actuating means connecting the second back rest to the frame member, said second back rest residing in an inactive position at the rearward portion of the chair seat in the reclining adjustment of the chair, said actuating means shifting the second back rest forwardly along the chair seat to an active back rest position adjacent the table section upon shifting of the table section to the erected service position.

5. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat structure, a sectional back rest structure residing in a generally vertical plane at the rearward portion of the seat structure, the sectional back rest comprising a table section and a back rest section providing a reclining chair contour, a pair of arm rest frames disposed along opposite sides of the seat structure, each arm rest frame having a rearward portion secured to the said table section and having an opposite end portion pivotally connected to the seat structure, the said arm rest frames supporting said table section in said vertical plane and pivoting said table section for movement through an arc upwardly and forwardly to a horizontal position spaced above the forward edge of the seat structure, thereby converting the reclining chair to a chairtable unit, and respective link members secured to the opposite sides of said back rest section and pivotally connected to a swinging portion of the arm rest frames, said link members shifting the back rest forwardly along the seat structure in response to the swinging motion of the arm rest frames and supporting the back rest in a second position forwardly on the seat structure and creating an erect posture chair contour adjacent the table section.

6. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat supported upon a floor surface, a two-position table section, a pair of arm rest frames secured to the table section at opposite sides thereof, respective pivot elements connecting the arm rest frames to the opposite sides of the chair seat, said arm rest frames supporting the table section as an upright back rest resting upon the rearward portion of the chair seat in the reclining position thereof, said arm rest frames residing along opposite sides of the chair seat and each having a generally horizonta arm rest section residing above the chair seat and providing an arm rest in said reclining adjustment, each of said horizontal sections having a perpendicular end section at its forward end, each perpendicular end section having a generally right angular extension joined to the lower end thereof and projecting rearwardly along the side of the chair seat, said right angular extensions connected respectively to said pivot elements at opposite sides of the chair seat, said arm rest frames swinging the table section about the said pivot elements forwardly over the chair seat through a quarter turn to a service table position residing above the forward portion of the chair seat upon converting the reclining chair to the chair-table unit, the end sections of the arm rest frames in said service table position resting horizontally upon the floor surface adjacent the forward edge of the chair with said right angular extensions projecting in upright position from the ends of the end sections to the pivot element at opposite sides of the chair, said arm rest sections projecting upwardly and supporting the table section in a horizontal plane above the forward portion of the chair seat, the said end sections, right angular extensions, and pivot elements stabilizing the table section in said erect service position above the forward portion of the chair seat.

7. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat, a sectional back rest residing along the rearward portion of the seat in a generally vertical plane in the reclining adjustment of the chair, the sectional back rest structure comprising a back rest and a table section, respective arm rest frames residing along opposite sides of the seat structure, each of said arm rest frames having an arm rail residing in a generally horizontal plane above the chair seat, pivot means connecting outer end portions of each arm rest frame to the chair seat, the opposite end of each arm rail being secured to the said table section, said arm rest frames sustaining the table section normally in said vertical plane with the lower portion thereof resting upon the chair seat, said arm rest frames being free to swing about said pivot means to shift said table section forwardly through an arc to a horizontal position above the forward edge of the seat, thereby converting the reclining chair to a chair-table unit, each of said arm rest frames having a crank portion extending rearwardly beyond said pivot means, a respective link secured to the opposite sides of the said back rest, respective articulated joints connecting the links to the crank portions of the arm rest frames, said links sustaining said back rest in said vertical plane and shifting the back rest forwardly along the seat in response to the swinging motion of said arm rest frames, each of said articulated joints having coacting abutment surfaces which engage and limit the relative articulation of the link and crank portion in the reclining adjustment of the chair, thereby to impart rigidity to the sectional back rest and arm rest frames.

8. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat, a sectional back rest residing along the rearward portion of the seat in a generally vertical plane in the reclining adjustment of the chair, the sectional back rest structure comprising a back rest and a table section normally residing in facial relationship, respective arm rest frames residing along opposite sides of the seat structure, each of said arm rest frames having an arm rail residing in a generally horizontal plane above the chair seat and having an end rail extending downwardly along-side the seat structure at the forward end thereof, pivot means connecting said end rail to the seat, the opposite end of each arm rail being secured to the said table section, said arm rest frames supporting the table section normally in said vertical plane with the lower portion thereof resting upon the chair seat, said arm rest frames being free to swing about said pivot means to shift said table section forwardly through an arc to a horizontal position above the forward edge of the seat, thereby converting the reclining chair to a chair-table unit with said end rails resting upon the floor surface and the arm rails rising upwardly therefrom and supporting the table section in said horizontal position, each of said arm rest frames having a crank portion extending rearwardly beyond said pivot means, a respective link member pivotally connnected to said crank portions and secured to the said back rest, said link members supporting said back rest member in said vertical plane with the lower portion thereof resting upon the chair seat, said link members shifting the back rest forwardly along the seat structure in response to the swinging motion of said arm rest frames during conversion to the chair-table unit, and sustaining the back rest in an erect posture position adjacent the table surface.

9. A convertible reclining chair and chair-table unit comprising a chair seat structure, a back rest residing in a generally vertical plane at the rearward portion of the chair seat, the back rest providing a reclining chair contour in the reclining adjustment of the chair, a table top residing in a vertical position behind the back rest in said reclining adjustment, a pair of arm rest frames disposed along opposite sides of the chair seat, each arm rest frame having an endwise portion secured to the said table top having an opposite end portion extending forwardly, pivot means connecting each of said forward end portions to the chair seat, the said arm rest frames sustaining the table top in said vertical plane and pivoting the table top through an arc forwardly to a horizontal position spaced above the forward edge of the seat, thereby converting the reclining chair to a chair-table unit, respective link members secured to the opposite sides of said back rest and pivotally connected to the arm rest frames, said link members shifting the back rest lineally relative to the seat in response to the swinging motion of the arm rest frames, the link members sustaining the back rest in a second position upon conversion to the table-chair unit, and hinge members interposed between the link members and back rest providing pivotal movement of the back rest in response to the arcuate motion of the table top from said vertical position behind the back rest.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10,908 Bass May 16, 1854 83,521 Mealey Oct. 27, 1868 2,100,597 Pickle et a1. NOV. 30, 1937 2,113,346 Heath Apr. 5, 1938 2,636,547 Munson Apr. 28, 1953 

